RAL Regulation

Ten federal laws and IRS rules provide extensive regulation of RALs. Advertising is regulated, fees are restricted, deceptive practices are prohibited, and penalties are provided. Tax professionals advise clients of comparative delivery times for IRS refunds and different bank products and less expensive forms of credit may be available.

Consumers must be informed that RALs are loans rather than tax refunds and that they are responsible for repayment of the loan if the IRS does not issue the full refund.

In early 2008, the Internal Revenue Service asked the public for comments on whether the IRS should propose a new rule regarding the marketing of Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) and certain other financial products. (31 Federal Register 1131, Jan. 7, 2008) Read H&R Block's comments.

• Home
• RALs at H&R Block
• What Does a RAL Cost?
• Why Clients Choose RALs
• Information About the Product
• Ways to Get Refunds Quickly
• Questions About RALs
• The Importance of Bank Accounts
• EITC
• RAL Regulation